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E Minor Chord, E7 Chord: Dramatic Difference in Progressions
The E minor chord and E7 chord both have a note in common with C major, the note E. But replacing the E minor chord with the E7 chord in the progression makes a dramatic difference in the sound of the progression. The note G (also present in the C major chord) is replaced with the note G♯. And another note, also not in the C major chord, is added, namely, the note D.
- E minor chord = E, G, B
- E7 chord = E, G♯, B, D
- C major chord = C, E, G
- C major to E minor progression: C, E, G to E, G, B
- C major to E7 progression: C, E, G to E, G♯, B, D
Changing Em to E7 not only removes one of the notes in common with C major, but also introduces the tritone (all seventh chords have it), which makes E7 conspicuously dissonant, adding to harmonic interest.
Chord progressions by thirds have opposite directionality to progressions by fifths:
- Thirds down progress counterclockwise (e.g., C – Am)
- Thirds up progress clockwise (e.g., C – E7)
Although thirds down tend to be more popular than thirds up, the latter tend to sound more interesting to the listener.